Choice Hotels: Becoming Positive On AI Adoption And Asset-Light Shift (Rating Upgrade)

I've upgraded Choice Hotels International to 'Buy' after analyzing its AI initiatives and capital-light model transition. CHH's EasyBid tool, introduced in early May, has already eased CHH's service friction and enhanced its lead-to-reservation capture rate. The firm is becoming less capital-intensive. Its FY2026 CAPEX guidance implies a 70% drop, and it's targeting a 60%-65% free cash conversion this year.